- THIS WEEK IN PNEC January 25, 2024
| |
Bonnie's Letter
“But those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Dear Friends,
As we move through these gray, rainy days of January, it is easy to lose hope – hope that the sun will shine, hope that spring will come, hope that we might feel uplifted by our environment. Hope can be a nebulous thing, but as I spoke with pastors this week, hope is the anchor on which Christianity rests.
We hope that God’s grace and mercy will touch us. We hope that we will see our loved ones when we leave this world. We hope that the dormant plants and flowers will bloom. We hope that our communities of faith will thrive. Christians are a people of hope.
Hope is more than optimism, more than looking forward. Hope is the platform on which Christians rest and build their relationships with God and with each other. Emily Dickinson wrote, “’Hope’ is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words -And never stops - at all –“[1]
Hope perches in the soul and sings – even when others feel that all hope is lost. Christian hope never ends, never ceases to impact our prayers and relationship with God. Hope anchors our faith, supports our faith lives, and moves us to offer grace, mercy, blessings, and love to one another.
And it is acting on hope that is most important. It’s one thing to feel hope, to cherish hope, but it is another to go out into our faith communities and the world and offer hope. There is a current contemporary Christian song by For King and Country which asks the question, “What are we waiting for?” It speaks about our having only one life, only this moment in which to act. There is no time like the present.
What are you doing to spread hope? More than that, what are you doing to share hope with everyone, every single person you meet, whether you agree with them or not. What are we waiting for as Christians, as Jesus-followers, as communities of faith? The world needs what we have, what we celebrate. The world needs hope. Not a fake smile or a false bravado what indicates we are fine even when we are not. The world needs to know the hope that is our foundation, the hope from which our life soars. I pray that you feel that kind of hope, that you share that kind of hope, and that hope sings even when we have no words. Blessings, Bonnie
[1] https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42889/hope-is-the-thing-with-feathers-314
| |
|
Celebrations - Recent Accomplishments of several PNEC Teams and Committees as reported to the Board of Directors
- The Congregational Vitality Team is celebrating the completion of their second 'How to Church' video series featuring the importance of connections to the “wider church”. And, they have decided the third video will focus on community engagement. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AZBbJLBMOQ&t=260s
- Local Congregational Support is reaching out to congregations that are not as active in conference life or are not strong givers to OCWM. Also, they are responding to congregations which filled out a survey about what they do well and will begin publicizing these successes so others may learn from them.
- Spiritual Development Team intends to make a calendar of 2024 goals the next time they meet, and they are beginning to plan details of the Youth Retreat titled ”Messy Faith” at the beginning of March at Spruce Lake.
- The Authorization Working Group is celebrating recent decisions supporting those advancing in their ministry, including approving Sharon Frye for ecclesiastical Council which will be held on January 20th at Faith UCC in Hazelton. They will also begin to work with Bonnie Bates and the Keystone Group to help the other conferences understand how they are structured since other conferences use different processes.
- The Nominating Committee is completing a slate of nominees to be voted on at the joint Conference meeting in June, but they have also recommended four individuals to fill interim, unexpired terms on the Conference Board and on the Authorized Working group which the Board will vote on at the January meeting.
- The Committee on Ministry celebrates the accomplishments of the three working groups that make up this committee and the dedication of members that make that important work possible.
- The YEA Fund Team is celebrating their ability to make grants to 4 youth/young adults and to allocate $1,000 to the Spring Youth Retreat. Nine grants were also made to adults.
- The GEM Fund Team is celebrating a grant of $1,000 to Faith UCC in Center Valley to create a new eco-friendly garden aiming to restore native, non-invasive plants, and then use the garden as an educational installation.
| |
|
Lenten Prayer Gatherings
The 4 PA UCC Conference Ministers and UCC Staff Members will lead weekly prayer gatherings during Lent on Wednesdays from 12:00-12:30pm. The first prayer time is Wednesday, February 21 and will follow each Wednesday until March 20th.
To register for the zoom link, click here.
| |
|
From Exodus to Jesus and Beyond: Progressive Christianity, Social Justice, and the Bible
Ground yourself in this five-part online series in which we will explore the lessons and values of our faith tradition that can, sometimes surprisingly, inform our work to build a better world.
Tuesdays during Lent, 4:00-6:00pm PST, $75 per person for 5 workshops.
Register and find more info here.
| |
|
BROWN ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS 2024
Applications are open for the Helen and Richard Brown Endowment for Pastoral Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year. UCF is honored to serve as a trustee for the Brown Endowment, managing both investment of the endowed funds and allocation of over $300,000 each year for individual scholarships, as well as grants to UCC conferences, seminaries, and global partners. CLICK HERE to learn about the qualifications and to apply.
| |
|
Next Theology with a Twist: Faith Formation and Families
The next Theology with a Twist will be held Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7:00p on the topic "Faith Formation and Families." The evening will include discussion on faith formation, programs that work and don't work, and how the church tends to be one step behind what families want and need in their faith lives. The panel includes Marjorie Hughes, Kimberly Berenotto, and Sara Hertzog. For more information, click here
| |
|
St. Luke’s University Health Network CPE Center is excited to announce its 2024 Spring-Fall Extended Internship Unit!
The unit will focus on Spiritual Care with People affected by Mental Illness and Addiction, will take place May 6-November 22, 2024. Click here for detailed flyer.
| |
|
Spirited & Life-Changing Leadership Initiative
application season for a spirited and life-changing leadership initiative for younger clergy offered by the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance (UCBMA), the philanthropic arm of the Pension Boards-UCC. The Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) energizes and empowers younger UCC local church pastors to co-create vibrant congregations that change lives, engage their communities, and further God’s mission in the world.
Applications for our 15th cohort are currently being accepted and we would appreciate your assistance in helping us to get the word out as far and wide as possible. Please forward this email to any pastors that you think might be interested and that fit the application criteria listed below. Notice of intent to apply is February 1—so please pass this information along quickly.
The ideal NGLI applicant is:
- 35 years of age or under by June 1, 2024*
- Served a total of five years or less as an authorized minister in a parish*
- Authorized for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC by an Association/Conference
- Hold a called position of 20 hours per week or more in a parish setting
- Committed to long-term ministry in local churches of the United Church of Christ
(*note, if an applicant meets criteria #3, #4, and #5, they are allowed to be a bit over in #1 or #2. Specifically, we will consider applicants up to age 40 and/or applicants with up to 10 years of parish ministry experience. However, if someone is over the ideal range in both those categories, they are not eligible to apply.)
NGLI is an investment in the lives and ministries of pastors so that they can serve more faithfully and fruitfully. It provides six years of learning experiences and participation incentives at no cost to the pastor or the congregation. UCBMA/PB also provides financial support and accommodations for clergy who are raising children during their time in NGLI. Specifically, those selected to participate in NGLI receive…
- Six years of advanced training, education, and field trips to hone pastoral leadership skills and gifts for service to the Church (at no cost to the pastor or congregation where they serve),
- Cohort of colleagues that encourages, challenges, and reflects together on the life of a local church pastor in these rapidly changing times,
- Financial incentive—a $6,000 seed contribution to the participant’s Annuity Plan account, which should have a value of approximately $45,000 at the end of a 35-year career.
Additional information about the application process and program components can be found here. Please help the Church by getting these materials in the hands of any eligible clergy you may know-- many thanks!
Faithfully, The Rev. Krista L. Betz, Director, Leadership Initiatives, The Pension Boards- UCC
| |
|
Lehigh Presbytery and Synod of the Trinity's financial support of Fairness PA
a statewide LGBTQIA+ support network establishing itself in Pennsylvania
One of our ministry candidates is on the board of directors (as is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania), and she has sent the following update.
To give a brief update on where we are:
1. Our website is now up and running! You can find information about Fairness PA here, including our Board of Directors, our mission, current news, contact information, and more: https://www.fairnesspenn.org/
2. We have now officially raised enough money to hire a State Director for the organization! Please share the job posting with folx that might be qualified and interested: https://www.fairnesspenn.org/news/position-announcement-state-director.
Our goal for 2024 is to acquire an office in Harrisburg for the new director and start organizing both the educational efforts and legislative advocacy components of Fairness PA. We have a board retreat scheduled for April and plan to celebrate PRIDE in Pittsburgh on June 1st, conducting further outreach across the state.
Rev. Rhonda K Kruse
Transitional Presbytery Leader, Lehigh Presbytery & Lackawanna Presbytery
(610) 391-9020, ext 1 (office); (610) 360-8823 (mobile)
| |
|
Sign up for book study with the Racial Justice Initiative
The PSEC Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Initiative is offering a six-week book study on Faithful Antiracism: Moving Past Talk to Systemic Change, by Christina Barland Edmondson and Chad Brennan. This book speaks directly to Christians who may feel ill-equipped to recognize and respond to racism. The authors use research analysis, theology, history, and social-political ethics to create interventions that challenge and resist racism in our institutions and everyday lives. There are two different time slots available for this exciting six-week book study:
· Thursdays from 7:00-8:00p, Feb. 1-March 7 (hosted by Rev. Ann Therese Ortiz and Liz Brunton)
· Tuesdays from 2:00-3:00p, Feb. 6-March 12 (hosted by Rev. Geneva Butz and Rev. Stephen Ohnsman)
Anyone is welcome to participate. To register, click here.
| |
|
“Seas May Get Rough: What Your Church Can Do about Climate Change”
A resource offered by Dave Bushnell to any of you who might like to encourage the material to be used in your congregation this coming Lenten/Easter season.
I will gladly send you a PDF file of elective (99 pages) to review. I’m working to organize a number of congregations ( to date UCC and Lutheran) who would begin a mid-week study beginning the week of February 19 and continuing for ten weeks to conclude by the end of April.
The suggested format for the ten sessions includes a Talk followed by small group sharing sessions. I suggest a 90 minute mid-week format rather than Sunday morning (there’s just too much per session to get it all in a 60 minute Sunday School class.) I have developed a lesson plan for each session that includes many on-line resources to augment each session.
I will have a printed manual (99 pages) for each church planning to share the elective. Participants at each church will also be able to download the PDF file for their own use.
LOCAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS is my prime focus in these later retirement years. When people ask me why I’m involved in this way…my answer is simple: GRANDCHILDREN. I am a retired UCC pastor who served as chair of the 2023 Earth Day Climate Summit. I have helped organize a Hamilton Park Climate Action Neighborhood and serve on RegenAll’s (local non-profit) Community Outreach Committee. I am also active with Lancaster Citizen’s Climate Lobby.
If you want the PDF File for “Seas May Get Rough” email me at abushnell@aol.com
| |
|
Penn Northeast Conference
Presents the 16th "Annual" Youth Retreat
March 1-3, 2024 (check in Friday 6:30-7PM/Pick up Sunday at 12PM
Spruce Lake, 5389 Route 447, Canadensis
Cost: $195/person (includes all programming and meals)
For ALL youth in grades 7th-12th are invited*. Confirmation classes are encouraged to attend. If your classes include 6th graders they are welcome.
*One adult per church please
Life and faith aren't always smooth sailing - And that's ok!
What's important is that we learn how to talk about it, ask questions about it,
and how to make the best of it.
Explore these things with us through art, games and more!
Click Here for Flyer and Registration Form
and you can also register through the link below with tithe.ly
Click Here for tithe.ly link to register
| |
|
Prayer and Meditation
Union UCC, Neffs and Community
Led by Rev. Kris P. Snyder
Tuesdays 7-8pm
Feb 20, March 19, April 23, May 21
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87680378046?pwd=QmozYWJFemJOVENCdWJBbzRpbDVIUT09
Meeting ID: 876 8037 8046 Passcode: 954906
I'll lead us in various readings, scripture, and prayer practices like breath prayer and centering prayer, as well as meditation practices from the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Buddhist, and Christian traditions. Sign up with PastorKris@unionucc.org You are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions, whatever your schedule allows. Authorized Ministers can use these hours for continuing education.
| |
|
2024 Boundary Training For Clergy and Commissioned Lay Pastors
May 7/8 -- 1:00PM - 4:00PM ET -- Register by April 20th
October 15/16 -- 10:00AM - 1:00PM ET -- Register by Sept 29th
Not-Your-Average Boundaries Training is tailored to focus on strategies to foster clergy emotional resiliency and well-being. While we still cover the "requirements," we believe the best prevention involves encouraging leaders to take steps to manage their stress in order to maintain balance and perspective when temptation to violate boundaries arises. This live online boundaries training is 5 total hours split over 2consecutive days (2.5 hours each day). Following the first session, participants are asked to engage in a bit of reflection work in preparation for the second session. This online boundaries training will be conducted via secure Zoom video conferencing.
Click Here for detailed flyer and registration information.
| |
|
Lessons in Meditation and Meditation Teacher Training
Beginning January 30th
In church, we often pray, but how often have we learned to meditate? Our relationship with God can be thought of as a friendship. If prayer is talking to God, then meditation is listening to God. How can we best listen, given the realities of the monkey mind? And given our own imperfect meditation practice, how can we best share meditation with others and our churches? This is offered through the larger Southern New England Conference UCC. Hear the interview with facilitator Rev. Matt Carriker here:
https://vimeo.com/880979672/d7c1011c90?ts=0
The 3-week “Lessons in Meditation” is offered on Zoom on Tuesdays from 2-3:30 p.m. on January 30th, February 6, and February 13th.
Register here https://sneucc-reg.brtapp.com/MeditationPractice
The six week Teacher Training program will include meditation practice, small group practice teaching sessions and one-to-one sessions with the facilitator. The 6-week “Meditation Teacher Training” is offered on Zoom on Tuesdays from 2-3:30 p.m. on January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 5.
Register here https://sneucc-reg.brtapp.com/MeditationTraining71
| |
|
UCC Webinar—Black History: Unsung Heroes of the Environmental Justice Movement
(Note: Authorized Ministers, this is an Anti-Racism Training - submit a paragraph to pattyr@pnec.org about what was learned from this webinar to receive credit.)
For Black History Month, the UCC will be celebrating past environmental justice leaders and their historic contributions to the movement. We will lift up and reflect upon the lives of champions for justice such as Dana Alston, Damu Smith, Hazel Johnson, and others. To fully appreciate their impact and legacy, we will hear from those in the movement who knew them. Featured speakers will include those who have been at the forefront of the movement: Robert Bullard, Vernice Miller-Travis, and Peggy Shepard. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on February 14th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!!
[Hyperlink: https://UCC.zoom.us/webinar/register/3317054434730/WN_-paE15N7Ty2lmsfnXuFQ3A]
| |
|
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
Introduction to Preaching. Jan 30–March 5, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor the Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler. For lay and clergy, any level. 2.5 CEUs.
Preaching and Worship through the Year. April 9–May 14, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor the Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler. Lectionary planning, sermon series, music and arts, special services, and more. 2.5 CEUs.
| |
Cultivating Generous Congregations - Spring 2024
The CGC Seminar for pastors and leaders offers an opportunity to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promote generosity in our congregations. This is a virtual seminar hosted by the South Central and Southeast Conferences on February 19, March 4, March 18, April 8, April 22, and May 6 from 7:30 to 9pm EASTERN (6:30 to 8pm Central) - The registration fee is $300 (per team of two) and $50 for each additional team member. Register Today - https://cvent.me/YwOoaz
| |
Clergy Convocation 2024: Healing Tother: Healing Me, Healing You
May 7, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - May 9, 2024 @ 1:30 pm
Double Tree by Hilton, Lancaster
Clergy Convocation 2024 – To register, click here.
| |
|
Roadmap for Justice - Power Interfaith Convention
Monday, February 19, 2024 @ 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Presidential Caterers
Presidential Caterers, 2910 Dekalb Pike, East Norriton, PA 19401
11:30 AM: Registration; 12-1 PM: Lunch; 1-4 PM: Event
Join us for a pivotal moment in our quest for justice. The POWER Interfaith Convention is your chance to be part of something bigger, connecting with kindred spirits from across the Commonwealth to create a tangible impact. CLICK HERE for full flyer and Registration Info.
| |
|
Join Us: Trauma for LGBTQIA+ Communities
February 9, 2024, 9:30-11:30am, Zoom
Free and open to all, thanks to PA Link
Facilitated by: SAGA/Welcome Project PA
This session will discuss the impact of trauma, microaggressions, and discrimination on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals. It will explore how unintended biases impact the LGBTQIA+ community, and provide terms, tools, and an understanding of how to integrate trauma-informed principles to better meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ populations. Participants will:
- Learn vocabulary and common terminology related to the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Enhance their knowledge of how trauma affects the body and brain and increase awareness of trauma experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Conceptualize LGBTQIA+ individuals experiences from a multicultural and trauma-informed lens with considerations for intersectionality and inclusivity.
Explore how to work towards culturally responsive communities to promote health and well-being for all.
Register Here!
Thank you to the PA Link for sponsoring this training to be free and open to all in our community! We are grateful for your partnership and support.
Learn more about SSAGA/Welcome Project PA and our wonderful facilitators!
| |
|
Join Us! 2024 B-JEDI Series
Belonging - Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Dr. Quaiser Abdullah, CPC
CLICK HERE for detailed flyer
| |
|
The Institute for Youth Ministry’s Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary
This year’s theme is “Craft: The Future of Youth Ministry,” and the event dates are April 30 - May 3, 2024, on the seminary campus. We believe the Forum is a unique opportunity for youth ministry leaders who crave a community of peers seeking to be transformed through theological reflection that meets practical application in ministry with young people.
Youth ministers are often the ones called upon in the church to cast a vision for how we can build life together with young people in our congregations and communities. Will you please share about this event with those who are doing youth ministry in your congregation? We have also attached a flyer that you can share on social media and in newsletters with the ministry leaders who would find value in our resources. More information can also be found on our Facebook and Instagram platforms.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Thank you for your help in spreading the word!
Building Ministry Together,
Barbara Holland
Barbara Holland(She/her), ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, INSTITUTE FOR YOUTH MINISTRY
Princeton Theological Seminary, Office: 609.497.7914, https://iym.ptsem.edu/
| | | | |
